FY26 Early Learning and Child Care Appropriations Letters
The annual appropriations process is an important time for legislators to determine their priorities for the next fiscal year. Congress uses this process to allocate funding for federal programs, activities and priorities. For the past several years, amid a myriad of competing priorities and limited funds, federal early learning and care programs have seen bipartisan support through the annual Congressional appropriations process.
On Capitol Hill, “Dear Colleague” letters are a key way for lawmakers to convey and generate support for these programs among their colleagues. Lawmakers collaborate to show appropriators the breadth and depth of support on Capitol Hill, and often make specific requests related to program funding levels.
Here are the various Dear Colleague letters that are currently being circulated related to the federal early learning and care programs:
House
- House Republican Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for CCDBG in FY2026
- Led by Representative Burgess Owens (R-UT)
- Link to Sign or reach out to Cody Rowe, cody.rowe@mail.house.gov
- Deadline to Sign: May 19 EOD
- House Democratic Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for CCDBG in FY2026
- Led by Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
- Link to sign or reach out to Emily Hopkins, emily.hopkins@mail.house.gov
- Deadline to Sign: May 20 EOD
- House Republican Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Head Start and Early Head Start in FY2026
- Led by Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN)
- Link to Sign or reach out to Sean Sullivan, Sean.Sullivan@mail.house.gov
- Deadline to sign: May 20
- House Democratic Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Head Start and Early Head Start in FY2026
- Led by Representative Jahana Hayes (D-CT)
- Link to Sign or reach out to Miranda Ganter, miranda.ganter@mail.house.gov
- Deadline to Sign: May 19
- House Bipartisan Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) in FY2026
- Led by Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
- Link to Sign or reach out to Eyole Mbongo, eyole.mbongo@mail.house.gov
- Deadline to Sign: May 20
- House Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) in FY2026
- Led by Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL)
- Link to sign or reach out to Kimberly Soffen, Kimberly.Soffen@mail.house.gov
- Deadline to Sign: TBD
Senate
- Senate Democratic Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Early Care and Education
- Led by Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN)
- Link to sign or reach out to Brennan Barber, Brennan_Barber@smith.senate.gov
- Deadline to Sign: May 20 at 6 pm
- Senate Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) in FY2026
- Led Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
- Link to sign or reach out to Keelan Rice, Keelan_Rice@duckworth.senate.gov
- Deadline to Sign: May 16
*Links to sign are only available for Members and Staff
